A new Breckenridge ordinance requires people make existing fixtures dark sky compliant within 15 years, and require new fixtures to be compliant immediately.

Exemptions include: emergency and safety lighting, holiday lighting, public art, architectural accent lighting and sign lighting.

Prohibited lighting includes: outdoor unshielded fixtures or lamps, a searchlight, a laser light and a semi-opaque or transparent backlit canopy or awning.

BRECKENRIDGE ” The preservation of a dark night sky and promotion of conservation prompted Breckenridge Town Council’s latest decision to limit the effects of exterior lighting.

Town staff spent the last few months gaining public input and talking to lighting experts to craft the ordinance, yet tweaks could still be made. Tuesday, council members passed the latest version, which will require people to make existing fixtures dark sky compliant within 15 years, and will require new fixtures to be compliant once they are added.

Dark skies have been discussed in most towns in Summit County for yeares, as conservationists have complained about increased development ruining views of the stars. Older lights often shine sideways and not just directly down, contributing to light pollution. The dark sky compliant fixtures are downcast and illuminate a certain radius that does not wash away star-lit skies.

The new ordinance is divided into two zones with different requirements. The core town area ” Main Street and adjacent streets ” will be given more latitude for more vibrant lights, Town Manager Tim Gagen explained. Outside the core, the standards are a bit more strict.

Also, some of the new lighting standards demand they are fully shielded, opaque fixtures with no portion of the bulb visible, that poles have a maximum of two light sources and a maximum height is set depending on if it is for residential, commercial or pedestrian use.

Many places selling fixtures and lighting experts are versed on what is dark sky compliant, Gagen said. Also, town staff is available to help people work through the changes.

“In the core town, with businesses in particular, as they start to do remodeling, it’s always wise to ask questions early,” he continued, adding that that way they don’t spend money on something that doesn’t follow the law.

The dark sky ordinance began from a goal the council set about a year and a half ago to update the town code based on the latest lighting standards to reduce glare into the night sky, Gagen said. About that time, the town started converting some of its light fixtures and making sure new ones were compliant.

And while the ordinance was adopted this week, it may not be in its final form. When a local resident and lighting designer described it as a “huge step in the right direction,” but expressed concerns about certain pieces, the council felt her expertise on the subject should be taken into consideration.

Mayor Ernie Blake said he’s a little worn down after discussing this for months, but was impressed with the woman’s comments. He suggested passing it and asked staff to go back and look at possible changes to bring back to council.

Councilmember Dave Rossi agreed, saying, “I wouldn’t mind looking at some tweaks.”